TDM FARMS: North Carolina, United States

With about 1 million breeding animals, North Carolina is the United States' second-largest swine state, despite an absence of corn cultivation. Pig Progress visited TDM Farms near North Carolina's Newton Grove.

Read more about this farm in the upcoming issue of Pig Progress.

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Newton Grove is a small village located about 75 km (50 miles) south of North Carolina's capital Raleigh.

TDM Farms is a 18,000 sow multisite breeding operation in North Carolina. Pig Progress visited one breeding location, constructed in 1997 and consisting of three lateral buildings, which housed 2,600 sows.

The total farm company is owned by David Herring (photo), 51, together with his brothers Tommy and Mark. The brothers also own international pig equipment company Hog Slat - more about this later.

The site weans on average 1,100 piglets per week. The brothers own four virtually identical sites and also work with a series of contract breeders to reach the total of 18,000 sows.

TDM Farms uses Large White x Landrace crossbred sows by PIC. The boar line is a PIC 337. The farm weans about 23-24 piglets/ sow/ year.

A water spray keeps the lactating sows cool in summer.

The Sow Max is a relatively novel stainless steel feeder type, produced by Hog Slat and used on this farm site. Lactating sows have ad lib access to feed, all they have to do is use their snouts to make the feed drop down.

The gestating sows are kept in crates. Feed rations usually contain corn and soybeans, in different rations depending on their stage of gestation or lactation.

Gilts are first inseminated at about 185 days, when they weigh about 136 kg (300 lbs). They receive vaccinations against influenza, E. coli, parvovirus, leptospirosis and erisypelas.

TDM Farms uses some Meishan boars for heat checking as they don't get very big and they have a lot of male odour.

Empty sows after insemination are kept apart before they are served again.

The lactating sow house is naturally ventilated.

The dry sow house, however, also is equipped with tunnel ventilation.

As is the case with many pig farms in North Carolina, a lagoon for manure can be found right next to the farm site.

Male piglets are castrated at 3-5 days; all piglets are weaned at about 21 days. They receive vaccinations against PCV2, M. hyo and PRRS. Some have to wait for a week before the truck picks them up.

Today is trucking day - the doors are opened for 2,200 weaners.

The three-layer truck is ready.

A farm employee makes a rattling noise in an attempt to send the pigs over the bridge to the truck.

The truck is cooled from the side by several mobile fans.

The weaners are ready to go.

And off the truck goes for a 14 hour non-stop journey to Indiana. Two drivers will alternate to ensure a safe continuation of the drive.

As said, the brothers Tony, David and Mark also own pig equipment manufacturing company Hog Slat.